Workers who lose their jobs while on maternity leave are suing in federal court

The case of the workers whose work was reduced during the maternity leave and the next insurance payment was refused is again in court.

The six workers in the case, supported by the unemployment group Mouvement action chômage Montréal, are now asking the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn the Social Security Tribunal's (SST) appeal decision.

The case began with six workers who lost their jobs due to layoffs or company restructuring during or shortly after maternity leave.

They were denied regular employment insurance benefits because they did not accumulate enough work hours during the qualifying period to receive regular benefits.

They first appealed the Employment Insurance Commission's decision before the General Division of the SST, which ruled in their favor, finding that certain sections of the Employment Insurance Act violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

This case was appealed, but the Appellate Division of the SST found the disputed provisions constitutional and overturned the decision.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on February 9, 2024.